Heilige Johannes van Matha 1644

This engraving by Mattheus Borrekens depicts Saint Johannes of Matha, founder of the Trinitarian Order. He stands bathed in divine light, holding a book marked with a distinctive cross. This cross, a symbol of the Holy Trinity, represents the order's mission to ransom Christian captives. Note the captive at his feet, eyes lifted in supplication. This motif of liberation echoes through centuries, appearing in Roman depictions of emperors freeing prisoners, and even earlier in myths of gods rescuing mortals. The chains, a potent symbol of bondage, resonate deeply in our collective memory. The act of freeing the enslaved stirs profound emotions, tapping into our innate desire for justice and freedom. The image is not just a depiction of a saint, but an echo of shared human experiences passed down through history.